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UCLA misses out on point guard Quinn Cook

November 4, 2010 | 3:04
pm

Saying UCLA was "a close second," Mouth of Wilson (Va.) Oak Hill Academy point guard Quinn Cook told The Times on Thursday afternoon that he was committing to Duke because of his relationship with Coach Mike Krzyzewski and the proximity of its campus to his Maryland home.

"If UCLA was closer, it might have been a different story," Cook said in a telephone interview. "It was just easier for me to stay on the East Coast."

Cook, one of the top point guard prospects in the country, said he enjoyed his visit to UCLA in early October. He spent time with junior guard Malcolm Lee, who he said "is like a big brother to me," and enjoyed one of Ben Howland's special chicken recipes at the coach's house.

"It was good," Cook said.

Ultimately, though, Cook said he wanted to play where his mother could easily come to his games.

"I wanted to go where I was comfortable," he said, "and I was more comfortable at Duke."